Who’s to blame for the decline of Canada’s once-renowned social programs? This book argues that it’s not the politicians, not big business (glorifying the free market), but Canadians in general. It provides compelling evidence of our loss of compassion during the last quarter of the twentieth century and our new demands for a harsher approach toward less fortunate Canadians, a harshness reminiscent of the century’s early years. In the interim we supported progressive social policies that set us apart in North America. Today we disown them and have become less attractive Canadians in the process.
News & Reviews
“This is a no-nonsense end-of-the-century assessment of Canada’s social standing that won’t make anybody glow with national pride.” —Saskatoon Star-Phoenix
About the Author
Barbara Murphy was born in Winnipeg. She graduated from McGill University and moved to Ottawa, where she worked for the Children’s Aid Society and as director of day care services. While a full-time working mom, she pursued post-graduate studies as a part-time student at Carleton University and obtained an M.A. in Sociology and M.SW. She taught courses in social policy and worked as a social policy consultant. Her books Why Women Bury Men: The Longevity Gap in Canada, The Ugly Canadian: The Rise and Fall of a Caring Society, On the Street: How We Created the Homeless, and Eating the Wedding Gifts: Lean Years After Marriage Break-Up explore issues that affect the social structure of Canadian society. Barbara Murphy died in 2019.
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